Client
Veterans Transition Center
Date
April 1, 2024
Services
Video and Editing
This video project began unexpectedly when we were filming a Resiliency Training program at Soledad State Prison in northern California. During interviews with inmates, we met Samantha Brinegar, a retired army veteran running an exceptional service dog training program at the prison. Samantha rescues dogs from California's kill shelters and teaches inmates to rehabilitate them for veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD.
The synergy between the inmates and the dogs creates a powerful narrative of mutual healing and redemption. We conducted a poignant 20-minute interview with Samantha, captivated by her story, which we felt deserved its own feature.
Upon returning home, we immediately began editing, inspired by the inmates' and dogs' bond and their collective impact on veterans and first responders on the outside. Securing footage of Samantha's work at Soledad and post-military life posed challenges. Connecting with Samantha to obtain visuals was crucial for crafting a compelling narrative. We supplemented with stock video to enhance the story's visual depth and completeness.
We rushed to set up for an interview in the prison gym, knowing time was limited as Samantha had to take a service dog to the vet. With just one camera, we embarked on filming without fully grasping the story's potential. Prison regulations added hurdles; every piece of equipment required thorough inspection, eating into our filming window. Strict location permissions further restricted our ability to capture supplementary visuals, intensifying the challenge of portraying Samantha's impactful work within the prison's confines.
Editing this short documentary was a truly rewarding experience. The interview exuded such raw emotion that we swiftly crafted Samantha's compelling journey of resilience post-army. Despite the challenge of having only single-camera coverage, we turned to Samantha and her team for the crucial visuals we needed. Her generous upload of photos and videos to Google Drive overflowed with footage, giving us ample material to weave into her story. Additionally, the California Department of Corrections provided stunning aerial views of the prison, enhancing our storytelling. To round out the visuals, we creatively sourced from a stock video site. With these elements and poignant music, Samantha's story flourished into a vibrant portrayal of trauma, rebirth, and transformation.
This project was a game-changer. When Samantha saw the video, she was blown away by its quality and emotional depth. Recognizing its power, we made the bold move to submit it to film festivals nationwide. Now, we're on edge, eagerly anticipating responses and hopeful for acceptance.
